DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MAN. 



45 



above, the facial (Figs. 4, 7). The projection of the muzzle, taken in con- 

 nection with the obliquity of the condyles, is another evidence of want of per- 

 fect adaptation to the erect posture ; whilst the absence of prominence in the 

 face of Man shows that none but the erect position can be natural to him. 

 For supposing that, with a head formed and situated as at present, he were 



FIG. 4. 



FIG. 5. 



Vertical section of Skull of Adult Oraug. 



Vertical section of Skull of Young Orang. 



FIG. 6. 



Vertical section of Skull of Papuan Negrito. 



to move on all-fours, his face would be brought into a plane parallel with 

 the ground ; so that as painful an effort would be required to examine with 

 the eyes an object placed in front of the body, as is now necessary to keep 

 the eyes fixed on the zenith ; the nose would then be incapacitated from re- 

 ceiving any other odorous emanations than those proceeding from the earth 

 or from the body itself; and the mouth could not touch the ground without 

 bringing the forehead and chin also into contact with it. The oblique posi- 

 tion of the condyles in the Quadrumaua enables them, without much diffi- 

 culty, to adapt the inclination of their heads either to the horizontal or to 

 the erect posture; but the natural position, in the highest among them, is 

 unquestionably one in which the spinal column is inclined, the body being 

 partially thrown forwards so as to rest upon the anterior extremities ; and 



